Friday Coffee & Bookish Speaks – Diverse Reading

byJessicaonSeptember 25, 2015

I ” have been seeing a lot about diverse reading since I have entered the book blogosphere not too long ago. I think that this promotion is spot on we should be reading diversely, but what the heck does that mean? My concern that “reading diversely” really only applies to one culture or social group.

In my mind, it’s like this regular customer I had when I was a barista oh so long ago. He would never order the same thing twice. I was sitting outside one time as he was coming in and I was curious as to if he knew what he was going to order. I asked him and he answered he would know when he got to the counter. The irony that struck me in this man’s attempt to be unpredictable had by the same token come predictable. You knew he would always order something different.

So I’m curious if this diverse reading campaign will in itself become predictable and defeat the purpose of its existence by only focusing on a select few diverse groups. Personally I would love to see more Jewish characters. I don’t see too many of those…

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I think it’s great that diversity has been getting more attention in mainstream literature. However, we’ll know when it’s really working when it stops coming off as a novelty. Having a black main character or a Jew character or even a gay ‘chosen one’ fated to save the world instead of your average guy shouldn’t seem as something out of the norm. It’s when diversity in books stop surprising people that we’ll know it has been fully embraced.

Good Thoughts =) I feel like I’m that guy who comes into the coffee shop and orders something different everytime, except with books! =) For books with Jewish characters have you tried The Chosen, We Are So Crashing Your Bat Mitzvah, or Number the Stars? Also, I am running the Book Blog awards this year for the 2nd year in a row and wanted to let you know nominations are open until October 31st . There are 15 awards up for grabs this year. You may nominate your own blog or ask your readers to nominate you. Readers vote on November 15th.
Please leave a comment on my blog or tweet me @emancipatedmimi or my co-host @QuratulainR to get the badge to add to your site. You may use it to encourage your readers to vote for your blog on Nov 15th. The awards are intended to be fun and exciting, and get your blog some exposure as well. Hope you will join =) I’m usually on Twitter so tweet me anytime with questions or comments =)
NOMINATE here: http://docs.google.com/forms/d/1kkntQ2xPpTaBcw-5OlDwUMMp1J11psxKS2Pvzi3TQ6k/viewform
VOTE HERE on Nov 15: http://docs.google.com/forms/d/1uKrnRIt0X7x489A3N60BC4InisHZRR8TVVFQBiCF12E/viewformMariam Mimi recently posted…Top 5 Mental Health/Illness Books | M&M Mariam